Habitat restoration sessions to help the Durham Argus butterfly to thrive.

The Durham Argus Butterfly is a very rare butterfly that is only found along the East Durham coast. It is a subspecies of the Northern Brown Argus butterfly and both butterflies make their home along the Magnesium Limestone clifftop meadows of the Durham coast.

Adult Durham Argus butterflies feed primarily on the wildflowers of Wild Thyme, Red Clover and Birds Foot Trefoil, while its larvae feed on the Common Rock-rose. Isolated patches of Rock-rose are found on south-facing grassy slopes of the Durham Coast and this yellow-flowered plant is vital to the butterfly’s survival.

SeaScapes is hosting a series of butterfly habitat restoration sessions as part of the ‘Our coast, Our Wildlife’ project in partnership with The National Trust.

During the butterfly habitat restoration sessions, we’ll work with the Rangers from the National Trust to help thin out and clear overgrown shrub at specific locations on the clifftop meadows in order to create better conditions for Rock-rose, Wild Thyme and Birdsfoot Trefoil to grow and for the Durham Argus butterfly to thrive.

We’ll meet at White Lea Farm, Easington Colliery, and then take a short walk to the coastal meadows and Beacon Hill. Some simple hand tools will be used during the sessions: the Rangers will provide appropriate training prior to use.

Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear.

Please book a place via the Eventbrite link. 

In the event of thunder and lightning, or very high winds, the sessions will be cancelled. 

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